Summary:
The four public schools serving zip code 71269 in Rayville, Louisiana, all part of the Richland Parish district, serve approximately 1,051 students from Pre-K through 12th grade in a community where economic disadvantage is a significant factor, with all schools reporting high free and reduced lunch rates.
The standout performer in this area is Holly Ridge Elementary School, which is the only school in the zip code to earn a 3-star rating and ranks in the 53rd percentile statewide. It dramatically outperforms its peers, with 72% of students proficient in Math compared to just 27% at Rayville Elementary School and 20% at Rayville Junior High School. This success is particularly notable given that Holly Ridge has the highest chronic absenteeism rate (27.8%) in the area, suggesting its instruction and school culture are exceptionally effective. In stark contrast, Rayville Junior High School is in a state of crisis, ranking in the 2nd percentile statewide with the worst academic performance, the highest student-to-teacher ratio (23.5:1), and a 92.41% poverty rate. Rayville High School shows a positive trend, moving from the 6th to the 23rd percentile over three years, but still struggles with a graduation rate (79.1%) below the district average and a high dropout rate (5.5%).
The data reveals a clear tale of two elementary schools: while both serve similar grade ranges and face high poverty, Holly Ridge outperforms Rayville Elementary by a staggering 45 percentage points in Math and 41 points in ELA. This stark contrast proves that factors within a school's control—such as leadership, teaching quality, and school culture—can make a monumental difference, even in a high-poverty context. For parents, this means that while the overall district faces significant challenges, Holly Ridge Elementary School stands out as a beacon of success, while Rayville Junior High School and Rayville Elementary School require careful consideration due to their extremely low performance metrics.
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